Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-10-28
L0BSTERS.
Some Facts Concerning the
Warriors of the Deep.
Their Voracity Leads to Their
Easy Capture.

During the early period Of its growth
says the Baltimore Sun, the lobster casts
the whole of his shell frequently-in the
second year every two months-but as
its size increases a new dress is less often
required, till at last, when arrived at the
fullness Of physical dignity, its armor
grows as it were rusty, aud becomes
coated over with parasitic shells.
DIR. Beard tells US that "the lobster
only increases in size during the short
period of moltlng, but this increase is so
great that it is almost as difficult to be-
lieve the cast off clothes ever fitted the
large feshy mass lying languidly beside
them, as that the gigantic genie ever
came out of the jar the lid Of which
had been in an evil hour removed by the
Arabian fisherman"
When the pea IS sufficiently ripe the
fish has the power to place her eggs un-
der the protection Of her over-arching
shell, where they advance gradually to
maturity, one lobster producing from
20, 900 to $4,000 eggs each season. The
spawn is thus carried by the mother till
nearly fit to commence Independent life,
and when cast off it soon gives birth to
the young lobster, which grows rapidly,
but passes through many changes before
it assumes the form and color with which
ordinary observers are more familiar.
Enormous as IS the increase from a
single female lobster, their numbers are
considerably diminished by predatory
fish, which devour them with great
ayldity and relish, but we are told that
the mother protects her progeny to the
utmost, and by no means ceases her care
with the deposit of her spawn, but con
tlnues it in very pleasing and interest
ing manner longer than in most animals
Of far higher grade Of organization.
Many fishermen assert that they have
frequently seen during the season the
old Holsters with their young around
them. "Some of these infants have
been noticed at six inches long, the old
lobster with her head peering out from
under rock, the young ones playing
around her. She appeared to rattle her
claws on the approach Of the fishermen,
when herself and young family took
refuge under the rocks; the rattling was
no doubt to give the alarm. This is
told by old and experienced men, with.
out the slightest concert or question Of
collusion.
"The Holsters home, says DR.. Peard,
"is in the purcst water, beneath which
he walks through brown and tangled
forests of palmy weeds, warrior in full
panoply, ever ready to do battle with all
comersn
J. is here in rocky ground and in the
fastnesses such localities afford to a
creature so frequently defenseless he
feeds chiefly on the aquatic vegetation
which surrounds him, chopping up his
salad with the large claw, little con
fcious how his example may be followed
by man at feast at which he may be
the principal invited guest.
Lobsters and crabs vary in their tastes.
Lobsters will be attracted by almost
any description of ofTal, the more putres-
cent the better; the crab will refuse ia
enter if the bait is not sweet and fresh.
DR.. Blakey says the lobster is consid-
cred an unclean eater, and is often
called the scayenger of the seas. He is
fierce marauder, pouncing on dead OF
living substances of all kinds. He ap-
pears to have powerful sense of smell
although no distinct organs for this Of
fec have yet been detected. His car
niyorous voracity leads to the animals
destruction. Baited traps made Of
strong twigs, like the common wire
mousetraps, are lowered into the water
and marked with buoy, and these :be-
come the most effectual means of cap
turing this epicurean crustacean.